Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
The Early Learning Care with Special Needs Assisting course equips the learner with the knowledge, experience and practical skills necessary to work in a range of childcare and early years services, promoting and supporting the holistic needs of children 0-6 years. This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to progress into the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care and into higher education and training.
Professional practice placement:
Learners must complete 150 hours of professional practice placement in a minimum of two Tusla approved settings:
(1) working directly with children aged between 0- 2 years 8 months, and
(2) working directly with children aged 2 years 8 months – 6 years. Learners must be Garda vetted before going on professional practice placement.
Certification:
Stage 1 -QQI Level 5 ELC certificate on successful completion of year 1.
At the end of stage 1 (year 1) learners will be awarded the embedded award QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care upon successful completion of stage 1 of the programme 5M21473 award code.
The Level 5 QQI Component award in Special Needs Assisting 5N1786 will be awarded on successful completion of the module Special Needs Assisting.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Professional Practice Placements in Early Learning and Care
Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulation
Early Childhood Growth and Development
Curriculum, Play and Creative Studies
Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs
Holistic Care of Children (birth to six years)
Special Needs Assisting 5N1786 (Elective)
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M21473 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
This course in early learning and care will give learners a firm foundation in the qualities and skills required for employment in the early learning and care sector.